cruise eco shuttle bergen

Our cruise docks

A sustainable cruiseport.

The Port of Bergen actively works towards developing a more sustainable and environmentally friendly cruise tourism industry and features Europe's largest shore power facility for cruise ships. This facility allows three ships to connect simultaneously and operate emission-free while in port. The port also imposes restrictions on the number of ships and passengers, capping it at a maximum of four ships and 8,000 cruise passengers per day. Furthermore, the Port of Bergen has together with other Norwegian ports developed the EPI (Environmental Port Index), a system to calculate environmentally differentiated port fees based on the emissions of ships while they are in the port. By rewarding ships with the lowest emissions and thus the lowest environmental impact, the goal is to attract precisely these types of ships. EPI is now implemented by 19 Norwegian ports, as well as the ports in Reykjavik and Lisbon.

Overview of our cruise docks

Berth reservation

The Port of Bergen will confirm requests for quay reservations if the ship meets one of the following criteria:

For 2024 and 2025, all ships must be Tier 2 compliant. Ships that do not meet these requirements can apply for quay space but must use shore power when docked.

When ordering a quay, the ship's data must be provided, including power type, consumption, location of power hatch (Stb/port), and distance from hatch to aft in meters.

From 2026, the requirement is for all ships to be on shore power.

The Port of Bergen follows international standards for shore power connections:

IEC 80005-3 low voltage (completed in 2024)

IEC 80005-1 high voltage

An EPI score above 45 provides a discount, while below 45 incurs a surcharge.

A 15 percent discount on quay fees for 2024 is granted when connected to power.

Contact for quay reservations: Frode Sagmo

[email protected]

For more information;

https://plugport.no/location/bergen/

Read more about our cruise docks and their services below

• Norsk bokmål

About Norled

Informasjon

Information

Travel Type

Fjordcruise Bergen – Flåm and Flåm to Bergen

Bergen - strandkaiterminalen.

Daily at 08:00 or 15:30

April - October

Travel along norway’s longest and deepest fjord: the sognefjord, also known as the “king of the fjords”., fjord cruise, fjordcruise bergen – flåm and flåm to bergen.

The Sognefjord lies in the heart of Fjord Norway and reaches all the way to the foot of Jotunheimen and Jostedalen National Park.

On board, you can enjoy the views through panoramic windows in the lounge, or go out on to the large sun deck for an invigorating experience at the very “heart” of Fjord Norway.

Remember to choose roundtrip when booking, if you want a roundtrip. Or else you are purchasing one-way ticket in the direction of your choice.

We also have a good selection of food and drink in our kiosks on board.

This trip is with an expressboat for passengers only – no vehicles is allowed on board.

Family prices

Discount is given on the adult price and children price, and automatically deducted when booking.

1 adult + 1 child (25% discount) 1 adult + 2 children (35% discount) 1 adult + 3 children (45% discount) 1 adult + 4 children (50% discount) 2 adults + 1 child (35% discount) 2 adults + 2 children (40% discount) 2 adults + 3 children (50% discount)

Tickets can be bought online, on board the boat, or at the Tourist Office in Bergen.

Alternative Routes

If you wish, you can combine the boat trip with other return options. Bus or train are options that are available. Note that this must be booked and paid separately.

Les omtaler av Norled, eller skriv din egen på Tripadvisor.

Useful information

Distance Roundtrip or one way. This route is public transportation but is mostly used by tourists as part of Sognefjord cruises.

Departure points Strandkaiterminalen in Bergen and Flåm quay (2 min. from the trainstation). The boat stops at several tourist places like Balestrand, Vik, Noreide, Leikanger and Aurland.

Tickets Tickets can be bought online, on board the boat, or at the Tourist Office in Bergen.

Sognefjorden - Bergen to Flåm

Kr. 1060,- per adult

Hardangerfjord to Eidfjord

Kr. 950,- per adult

Bergen buss-stasjon

May - september, ca. 12,5 hours, half day trip to skjerjehamn.

Kr. 650,- per adult

ca. 4,5 hours

Hardagerfjord fra norheimsund.

Kr. 275,- per adult

Norheimsund kai

From 3 hours, lysefjorden - preikestolen cruise.

Kr. 760,- per adult

Strandkaien, Stavanger

March - november, ca. 2,5 hours.

Kr. 500,- per adult

ca. 4 hours

Sognefjordcruise to nordeide.

Kr. 790,- per adult

Saturday trip to Skjerjehamn

Kr. 960,- per adult

ca. 6,5 hours

Hardangerfjord to kinsarvik, inc. bus.

Kr. 830,- per adult

Hardangerfjord to Ulvik, inc. bus

Bergen - buss-stasjon.

• Norsk bokmål ( Norwegian Bokmål )

• CruiseMapper
• Cruise Ports
• Baltic - Norwegian Fjords - Russia Cruise Ports

Bergen (Norway)

Cruise port schedule, live map, terminals, news.

Region Baltic - Norwegian Fjords - Russia

Local Time 2024-08-20 02:21

Port Bergen cruise ship schedule shows timetable calendars of all arrival and departure dates by month. The port's schedule lists all ships (in links) with cruises going to or leaving from Bergen, Norway. To see the full itineraries (ports of call dates and arrival / departure times) and their lowest rates – just follow the corresponding ship-link.

Bergen Havn is Norway's second-biggest port city (after the country's capital Oslo ). However, by shipping traffic, Bergen is ranked Norway's largest cruise port and the gateway to the Norwegian Fjords. Located along Byfjord, this is a charming old town surrounded by forested peaks and centered around its large harbor with thriving fishing and cruising industries. The city's population is around 280,000.

IMPORTANT : Since June 24, 2022, Bergen Havn has a cruise ship limit of 4 vessels and max 8000 passengers (regardless of the vessels' number) per day. For the 4th vessel is mandatory to use shore power. By the year 2026, all cruise ships visiting Bergen must be able to use shoreside power.

Port Bergen (locode NOBGO) is the port of registry of all Viking OCEAN ships (fleet) .

The Norwegian passenger shipping company FJORD LINE offers direct crossings between Bergen and Denmark ( Hirtshals ). The route Hirtshals- Stavanger - Bergen is operated year-round. FJORD LINE's schedule includes 1 daily crossing Bergen-Hirtshals (travel time 18 hours), 1 daily crossing Bergen-Stavanger (5,5 hours) and 1 daily crossing Bergen- Langesund (24 hours).

On March 1, 2018, MS Spitsbergen became Hurtigruten 's first vessel using Port Bergen's shore power. The technology allows the ship's diesel engines to be shut down during port stay/berthing, thus saving fuel and reducing emissions.

Bergen's old waterfront is lined with colored buildings and warehouses, housing boutiques, restaurants, and art galleries. Here travelers will also see the Fish Market at Torget displaying the catch of today.

The history of Bergen dates back to the early 11th century when Olav Kyrre founded a settlement and royal residence here. Bergen replaced Trondheim as the capital of Norway in 1240, and the city prospered under the guidance of the Hanseatic League. Very soon, these German merchants controlled all trade in Norway and remained in Bergen for centuries until 1764.

Today, much of the city's architecture reflects the lifestyle of Hanseatic merchants, who resided in tiny row houses close to the harbour. Bryggen is a collection of timbered Hanseatic houses from the 14th-16th century, restored and designated by UNESCO as a Heritage Site. Hanseatic Museum re-creates the living quarters of a merchant and his staff. King Haakon's Hall was built in the 13th Century, Rosenkranz Tower and Mariakirken in the 12th century. Theta Museum honours local Nazi resistance group from WW2.

Tourists can enjoy shopping or travel up Floibanen funicular railway for views over Bergen city and the surrounding area. Outside the town, a must-see is the Fantoft Stave Church (1050) and Troldhaugen beside Norgas Lake - home of Edvard Grieg and now a park and a museum. On the Nordnes Peninsula is Old Bergen Museum, an open-air collection of 18th-19th century houses.

In October 2017, Port Bergen announced a new policy to limit the cruise ship calls per day to 4 vessels (max 9000 passengers) in order to avoid occasional congestion during summer months. All the Port's existing ship bookings were honored. For the season 2017, the cruise port handled 325 ship calls and 0,51+ million tourists (490,546 in 2016).

In 2018 were handled 342 cruise ship calls (including 28x turnarounds and 15x inaugurals) and 653,110 tourists. On December 4, 2018, the state-owned Enova SF granted NOK 50 million (USD 5,9M / 5,17M) funding as investment support to Port bergen to build a shoreside-power facility dedicated to cruise ships. The project's total cost was estimated to ~NOK 120 million (USD 14,16M / EUR 12,4M).

Enova SF is a Norwegian government enterprise promoting environmentally friendly productions and energy consumption. Shore-power technologies allow berthed ships to shut down their main engines and plug into the city's electrical grid, using hydroelectricity for all onboard services, thus reducing in-port noise and air pollution (exhaust emissions).

In September 2019, BKK Norway (Bergenshalvoens Kommunale Kraftselskapand) and Port Bergen announced their plan to establish a joint company for building Europe's largest onshore power supply facility, as well as the Port's shore-power supply facility for cruise vessels. The Bergen-based BKK is a power company owned by Statkraft AS (49,9%, state-owned hydropower company), Bergen municipality (37,8%) plus 16 other municipalities. BKK specializes in electricity production and distribution, with end-user sales by Fjordkraft (co-owned by BKK and Skagerak Energi). BKK's annual production is around 6,6 TWh. The electricity is produced at 29 hydropower plants in Norway.

Currently, shore power in Bergen Havn is available at 4 piers/quays (Bontelabo, Jekteviken, Skolten North, Skolten South) where 3 ships can be connected simultaneously. On 3-ship days, the 4th vessel is moored at Jekteviken. In 2022, at Bontelabo and Skolten were installed wastewater management facilities collecting blackwater (containing feces and urine) and greywater (from galleys/kitchens, baths, showers, lavatory sinks, laundry).

On March 27, 2021, Port Bergen and Plug Bergen (50/50 joint venture with Plug Holding /BKK-owned) completed 5 shoreside power connections (2 at Skolten Pier, 1 at Bontelabo Pier, 2 at Jekteviken Pier), with total capacity 48 MVA (Mega-Volt-Amp). In 2021, Plug Holding started building shoreside-power connections for cruise ships in the Norwegian ports Alesund (3 points) and Nordfjordeid (1 point).

During the post-COVID 2022 season, Port Bergen handled a total of 308 cruise ship calls and 364334 passengers (out of total ~4,3 million cruisers who visited Norway).

Fred Olsen fleet meet (port Bergen 2015)

For the first time ever, on July 28, 2015, all four Fred Olsen ships (the whole fleet) came together in Bergen. At the following YouTube video, you can also see an aerial view of the cruise port and the terminals.

The four vessels arrived at 8 am and left the port at 6 pm.

• MS Balmoral was on an 8-night "Norwegian Fjords" cruise from Southampton UK (July 25). Arriving from Stavanger, it docked at Bontelabo Terminal.
• MS Black Watch was on a 9-night "Cruising the Fjordland" cruise from Liverpool UK (July 23). Arriving from Flam, it docked at Skolten South Terminal.
• MS Boudicca was on a 7-night "Glaciers, Fjords and Waterfalls of Norway" cruise from Newcastle UK (July 26). Arriving from Newcastle, it docked at Skolten North Terminal.
• MS Braemar was on a 14-night "Falls, Fjords and Faroe Islands" cruise from Dover UK (July 18). Arriving from Akureyri Iceland, it docked at Festningskaien Terminal.

The day-long festivities in Bergen included quayside live music performances (marching drummers, singers, music bands), onboard entertainment (afternoon show, open deck party, live band music), onboard treasure hunt, "water cannon" send-off show as all Fred Olsen ships were leaving the port.

All four Fred Olsen ships visit Bergen every year since 1997. Following the "fleet meet" day, Balmoral continued to Flam, both Black Watch and Braemar to Eidfjord, Boudicca - to Alesund.

Bergen cruise terminal

Most cruise ships in Bergen Havn dock at the Skolten cruise port (Vagen Harbor). From here it is a 5-min walking distance (along the waterfront) to the Bryggen (aka Tyskebryggen) docking area.

Larger cruise ships often dock at Dokken port, located to the west of the Fish Market (large outdoor market selling seafood, fruits, and vegetables). Complimentary shuttle buses operate from Dokken Port to the city center (walking distance is around 20 min).

The following map of Port Bergen shows the cruise terminals and their berths locations, as well as the port's anchorage area. If all berths are occupied, the additional vessel is anchored there and its passengers are transported via tender boats.

Bergen is the southern turnaround port of the "Express Route" - Norway's Government subsidized "Norwegian Coastal Express". This is a regularly scheduled passenger and cargo shipping service in Norway. The "ferry and cruise" itinerary is between two turnaround ports - Bergen (southmost) and Kirkenes (northmost). It connects a total of 34 ports, which are Norwegian communities without any road or air access.

Since January 2021, Norway's coastal ferry service is operated by two companies - Hurtigruten (7 ships) and Havila Shipping (4 ships). The Norwegian Government's annual subsidy for the ferry service is around USD 100 million.

The list of all ports along the northbound "Norwegian Coastal Express" itinerary includes Bergen (turnaround port), Alesund , Floro , Geiranger (Stranda) , Maloy (Vagsoy) , Molde , Torvik (Heroy, Leinoya Island) , Kristiansund , Rorvik (Vikna) , Trondheim , Bodo , Bronnoysund (Bronnoy) , Nesna , Ornes (Meloy) , Sandnessjoen (Alstahaug) , Stamsund (Vestvagoy Island) , Svolvaer (Vagan, Austvagoya Island) , Trollfjorden (Hadsel) , Finnsnes (Lenvik) , Harstad (Hinnoya Island) , Risoyhamn (Andoy Island) , Skjervoy , Sortland (Langoya Island) , Stokmarknes (Hadseloya Island) , Tromso , Berlevag , Hammerfest , Honningsvag (Mageroya Island , Nordkapp / North Cape ), Kjollefjord (Lebesby) , Mehamn (Gamvik) , Oksfjord (Loppa) , Batsfjord , Vardo (Vardoya Island) ,  Kirkenes (turnaround port).

Bergen tours, shore excursions, hotels

City tours and shore excursions.

Hjeltefjorden

Ulriken Cable Car

Edvard Grieg Museum

Bergen Aquarium

Bryggen Wharf

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07000 Bergen Taxi

07000 Bergen Taxi is the no.1 taxi company in Bergen. We aim to provide pleasant, efficient journeys and smooth booking options.

07000 Bergen Taxi is the largest and eldest taxi provider in Bergen. For more than a century, we have been bringing residents and guests around the city and its surroundings. We put our pride in offering comfortable, safe and reliable transport for all groups and occasions. The company offers a modern fleet of more than 350 vehicles, including 40 minibuses for up to 16 passengers all equipped for wheelchair transport. Our regular taxi services can be booked in advance or for "here & now" through one of our modern and user-friendly booking solutions; Phone: call 07000 (from abroad +47 5599 7000) App: Find our free app "07000 Taxi" in App Store or Google Play. Internet: Visit our homepage bergentaxi.no Booking terminals: Use one of our self-service touch terminals – found in the main cruise terminal at Skoltegrunnskaien and in most of Bergen's hotel receptions In addition, 07000 Bergen Taxi offer pre-planned shuttle services to/from Bergen Airport and tailored private sightseeing trips. For more information and booking of these services, please call contact our special operations department by phone or email [email protected].

• Kokstadveien 8
• 5257 Kokstad

Green certifications

Where is 07000 bergen taxi .

Bergen Cruise Port Guide | 10 Best Things To Do In Bergen

Nestled on the southwestern coast of Norway, Bergen cruise port is the country’s second-largest city and second-largest port. The city is the starting point for exploring the legendary fjords of Norway and the gateway to one of the country’s most picturesque and historically rich cities.

Travelers are captivated by Bergen’s UNESCO-listed Bryggen Wharf, the city’s maritime history, and the enchanting natural beauty that surrounds it.

In this article, I will guide you through everything you need to know about the Bergen cruise terminal and getting around the city. Additionally, I’ll reveal the 10 best things to do in Bergen cruise port!

Visit also our cruise port guides to Oslo , Tromso , Stavanger , Olden , Alesund , Amsterdam

Bergen Cruise Port

The port of Bergen consists of two docking locations: Skolten cruise terminal (aka Vågen Harbour), which consists of three berths (Skolten, Bontelabo, and Festningskaien); and Dokken cruise terminal , which has two berths (Dokken and Jekteviken).

Skolten berths are located within 600-900 m from the iconic Bryggen Wharf, the city’s historic harbour and main landmark, while Dokken berths are situated in the city’s industrial area, around a 5-8 minute drive from Bryggen.

If your ship docks at one of Dokken’s piers, complimentary shuttle buses are provided to transfer passengers to the city center.

Bergen port (Skolten cruise terminal) is also a turnaround port, meaning that cruises start and end in Bergen. With great international flight connections and a wide range of pre- and post-cruise activities, Bergen is a perfect starting point for your Scandinavian cruise adventure!

Major cruise lines sailing from port Bergen include Viking Ocean Cruises, Hurtigruten, Ponant, and Silversea Cruises.

Getting Around & Local Transportation

• The currency in Norway is the Norwegian krone, aka kroner (NOK). 1 NOK equals 0.08 EUR/0.09 USD. See the currency converter
• Bergen has a reliable and efficient public transportation network, which consists of buses, Bergen light rail (aka Bybanen), ferries and trains. Public transport is operated by Skyss and you can check timetables at Skyss’ official webpage .
• You can easily explore downtown Bergen on foot, but if you decide to use public transport, consider getting a Bergen Card which provides free bus rides in the city and its surroundings. In addition, the Bergen Card will give you discounts for numerous museums, attractions, tours, and more. You can purchase a Bergen Card at the Tourist Information Center , located at the Fish Market downtown.
• Explore Bergen tours and activities
• Check out private transfers to/from Bergen cruise terminal

10 Best Things to Do in Bergen Cruise Port

Located amid magnificent Norwegian fjords, Bergen is renowned for its rich cultural heritage, breathtaking scenery, and vibrant culture. Here are the top Bergen’s attractions!

1. Bryggen Wharf

Start your journey through time by exploring the captivating history of Bergen, a city that blends its rich maritime and architectural heritage. Take a stroll from the port to the UNESCO-listed Bryggen Wharf, a historic harbour district and one of the oldest ports in this part of Europe.

Walk through charming cobblestone streets and discover the picturesque Hanseatic buildings which stand as a testament to Bergen’s role as a medieval trading hub. Wandering through Bryggen, you’ll discover small passageways and wonderful leaning facades that reflect the authentic spirit of the town.

Bryggen boasts several landmarks that you can visit, such as Bryggens Museum , Bergenhus Festningsmuseum (history museum), and St. Mary’s Church .

The Bryggen Wharf also features several shops, eateries, cafes, and pubs that you should definitely check out to complete your local experience. Here, you’ll also find some of the best restaurants in Bergen .

Explore Bryggen tours and activities

2. Mount Fløyen and Fløibanen Funicular

Mount Fløyen dominates the city of Bergen and offers spectacular panoramic views of the city once you climb to the top. Just a 15-minute walk from the port, you will reach the base station of the iconic Fløibanen Funicular which will take you to the mountain top in just a few minutes.

Once you reach the peak of Mount Fløyen, a breathtaking view unfolds before you. The panoramic views of Bergen and its surrounding fjords are nothing short of spectacular, offering a bird’s-eye perspective that will undoubtedly leave you speechless.

Besides magnificent views, Fløyen features a large hiking area where you can spend hours if you wish so, a playground for kids, a shop, a couple of cafes, and a restaurant. The funicular is open every day all year round and you can purchase the tickets on Fløyen’s official website or on-site.

Explore Mount Fløyen tours and activities

3. Bergenhus Fortress

This stone-built, 13th-century fortress proudly lies on the eastern shore of the Vågen harbor, only a 5-minute walk from Bergen cruise port (Skolten and Bontelabo berths). Built around the 1240s, the fortress served various purposes throughout its history, including a royal residence, a military stronghold, and a symbol of royal power.

Today, Bergenhus Fortress is a popular tourist attraction, offering visitors a glimpse into Norway’s medieval and military history. The site provides guided tours, and visitors can explore the historic structures and learn about the fortress’s significance. The entrance is free.

Check out Bergenhus Fortress tours and activities

4. Fish Market

Explore Bergen’s lively and vibrant Fish Market only a 15-minute walk from the port. Located close to Bryggen, this open-air, waterfront market invites you to immerse yourself in the rich flavors and freshness that define Bergen’s renowned fish culture.

Upon arrival, the vibrant array of stalls showcases an abundance of fresh seafood, ranging from delicious salmon to delicate shrimp, all sourced from the waters that surround Norway. While you’re here, take time to engage with local vendors and discover the stories behind each delectable offering. The market area provides outdoor seating where visitors can enjoy their freshly prepared seafood dishes while taking in the picturesque surroundings of Bergen’s waterfront.

Explore Bergen culinary tours and experiences

5. Hanseatic Museum and Schøtstuene

The Hanseatic Museum and Schøtstuene are two interconnected museums located in the Bryggen area that provide insight into the city’s Hanseatic history. These delicately preserved merchant buildings, standing proudly as living testaments to the city’s past, invite you to step back in time and explore the fascinating legacy of Bergen’s maritime trade.

Inside the Hanseatic Museum and Schtstuene, you’ll find carefully preserved rooms portraying the lives of the Hanseatic merchants who once prospered in this actively maritime city. Each area offers a story, providing insight into these great personalities’ everyday lives, challenges, and achievements. The ambiance in these buildings is packed with echoes of ages gone by, allowing you to connect directly with Bergen’s medieval tradition.

Check out the Hanseatic Museum and Schøtstuene tours

6. Torgallmenningen (Main Square)

Located in the heart of Bergen, Torgallmenningen serves as the main square in the city and is one of the largest squares in Norway, known for its open and spacious design. The square, often used for various events, festivals, and gatherings, is a pedestrianized area, making it a central gathering place for locals and tourists.

The square is surrounded by numerous shops and department stores, making it a prime shopping destination in Bergen. Torgallmenningen is also adorned with various landmarks and monuments, including the iconic fountain known as “Sailor’s Monument”, a 7-meter-high memorial to the Norwegian sailors.

Explore Torgallmenningen tours and activities

7. Old Bergen Museum

At just 3 km from the port lies the Old Bergen Museum (Gamle Bergen Museum – Bymuseet i Bergen), an enchanting open-air museum that invites you to step back in time and experience life in Bergen during the 18th and 19th centuries. Wander through cobblestone streets, explore historic wooden buildings, and encounter costumed interpreters bringing the past to life.

For cruise enthusiasts seeking a nostalgic trip, the Old Bergen Museum is a captivating destination that bridges the gap between modern-day Bergen and its charming historical roots. To get to the museum, you can either take a taxi or public buses #3, 4, 12, 19, and 16E from the city center to the bus stop: Gamle Bergen.

Check out Old Bergen Museum tours and activities

8. Troldhaugen – Edvard Grieg’s Home

Troldhaugen, located a 20-minute drive south of Bergen cruise port, is a cultural gem and the former home of the famed Norwegian composer Edvard Grieg. Nestled on the shores of Lake Nordås, the estate boasts Grieg’s charming villa where he lived for 22 years with his wife Nina Grieg. The villa, surrounded by beautiful gardens, and the lakeside landscape served as a muse for Grieg, influencing the melodies that have become part of Norway’s musical legacy.

This delightful journey enables you to explore Grieg’s life, providing a glimpse into the daily life of the composer. Wander through the Composer’s Hut, an intimate space where Grieg crafted some of his most famous compositions, and explore the grounds at your own pace, taking in the picturesque surroundings that inspired Grieg’s creative genius.

Explore Troldhaugen tours and activities

9. Bergen Fjord Cruise

While exploring fjords on a half-day trip from Bergen is challenging due to the distance and time constraints, there are shorter fjord experiences that you can consider. The most famous fjord near Bergen is the Nærøyfjord , a UNESCO World Heritage Site, which is part of the larger Sognefjord system. While the complete round trip from Bergen usually takes a full day, you can opt for a partial tour that focuses on the Nærøyfjord section.

Alternatively, you can opt for a shorter fjord experience which includes taking an express boat tour to Mostraumen . These tours typically depart from the Fish Market in Bergen and provide a two-hour round trip to the narrow Mostraumen strait. The boat journey takes you through beautiful fjord landscapes, passing waterfalls, steep cliffs, and picturesque scenery.

Explore Bergen Fjord cruises

10. Edvard Munch’s Bergen

The works of Edvard Munch, the renowned Norwegian painter, are celebrated and exhibited throughout Norway, including Bergen. While Bergen itself doesn’t hold a significant place in Munch’s biography, the city has art galleries and cultural institutions that may showcase some of his paintings as part of broader exhibitions of Norwegian art.

Tourists interested in Munch’s art can explore various museums and galleries in Bergen to experience a broader spectrum of Norwegian artistic heritage, even though the artist’s personal ties to the city are not as prominent as his connection to Oslo and Åsgårdstrand.

Visit also our cruise port guides to Le Havre , Zeebrugge , Reykjavik , Stockholm , Copenhagen , Tallinn , Helsinki

You may also like our cruise port guides to the Mediterranean , Caribbean , Western Europe , Baltic & Scandinavia , USA & Canada , Australia & New Zealand

This article may contain affiliate / compensated links. For full information, please see my  disclaimer  here.

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Getting to the ship

General tips and advice about how to get to Norway, and the ship.

Back to overview

How do I find the address to the port terminal?

You can find the terminal adress, arrival times and departure times to all our ports on our website.

Do you organize transport from airports and train stations to the ports?

We offer transportation from airports to the ports of Bergen (Flybussen, Havila/Hurtigruten bus) and Kirkenes (Barents Buss, Havila/Hurtigruten bus). The transport also passes by hotels in the city center. In Bergen, we also organize transport from the train station. For departures from Bergen and Kirkenes, you can add a 48-hour bus ticket to your booking. 

Transportation can be added at the time of booking, or after by editing your reservation via the link in your e-mail confirmation. 

Important update for guests in Bergen: Guests with accommodations in Bergen must use the Airport Bus (Flybussen) and not the Havila/Hurtigruten bus, as the Havila/Hurtigruten bus only goes directly to the airport. The Airport Bus (Flybussen) takes a circular route, initially bringing you to the airport and then back to hotels in the city center, a journey that lasts more than one hour. Your Havila booking confirmation works as your voucher; simply present your confirmation to the bus driver when boarding. Bus departures are evenly spaced throughout the day, with the last departure at 19:30.

Can I book connecting travels like plane or train with Havila Voyages?

Unfortunately, we do not have this option yet. If you book through a travel agency, they will arrange your trip so that you arrive at Havila Voyages in the best possible way.

How do I get to the ship?

If you are traveling to or from Norway by plane, you can book your flight with Norwegian, SAS, Logan Air, KLM, or Wideroe. 

There are direct flights to Bergen from approximately 30 airports around the world, such as London, Manchester Amsterdam, Berlin, and Paris. The arrival and departure time of the ship allows you to connect from and to many flights without requiring extra overnights. KLM offers great regional connections from across the UK and many European Airports.  

From the airport, you can take the airport express bus (Flybussen) or the Bergen Light Rail to the city centre. The airport express bus (Flybussen) takes you from the airport, through its regular route past the hotels in the city centre and to the Jektevik Terminal at the harbour. In Bergen, we also offer a 48-hour bus ticket.

If you are traveling by plane to or from Kirkenes , you can book your flight with Norwegian, SAS, or Wideroe with most international connections via Oslo. 

If you are traveling by plane to or from Trondheim , you can book your flight with Norwegian, SAS, KLM, or Wideroe. There is an airport bus going from the airport to the city centre.   

If you are traveling by plane to or from Tromsø , you can book your flight with Norwegian, SAS, Logan Air, KLM, or Wideroe. There is an airport shuttle to the city centre. At Tromsø Airport there are several direct routes to international cities such as London and Copenhagen as well as other routes with connections mainly via Oslo.

Traveling by train

You can get to Bergen and Trondheim by train. From the train station, you can get to the ship by taxi or organized transportation (see next question). In Bergen, you will find the Havila Voyages in Nøstegaten 30. The Addresses of the other ports in which Havila Voyages docks can be found at our website. 

Check-in and embarkation

A Cruiser’s Guide to Bergen, Norway

As a UNESCO World Heritage City, Bergen, Norway offers attractions both ancient and modern. With colorful architecture, ancient cobblestone streets, and a medieval fortress, this charming city is a favorite of cruisers visiting the Norwegian fjords.

Plan Your Bergen Excursion

You can easily explore this maritime marvel on your own on foot or using Bergen’s reliable transportation system. However, there are great options if you prefer a guided tour.

The Bergen Card

If you plan on visiting museums, save money by buying a Bergen Card. To purchase, stop by the tourist station by the Fish Market or buy one online at the Visit Bergen website. 

Tip: while you’re at the tourist station, pick up a bus and rail schedule if you’re planning to use public transportation, which is both convenient and affordable.

What to See and Do

There are so many things to do and see in Bergen that it’s hard to condense them down into one article. These are some of the most popular activities.

Fløibanen Funicular Station

Your first stop needs to be the Fløibanen funicular station because queues tend to build up. At the top of Mount Fløyen, you have a spectacular of the surrounding islands, bays, and the city below.

Take the Fløibanen funicular to the top of Mount Fløyen | Photo: Visit Bergen/website

• Bryggen Wharf

A UNESCO’s World Heritage List attraction, Bergen’s ancient wharf hails from the year 1360. This is where you’ll find all the best artists, jewelers, and textile designers.

Fisketorget (Fish Market)

Near the Bryggen Wharf, you can stop in at the Fish Market (Fisketorget) for snacks, fish samples, and shops. The market has been a central meeting place for the townsfolk for hundreds of years as Norwegian diets are heavy in fish. The most authentic thing you can eat in Bergen is smoked salmon baguettes, whale burgers, and prawn. If you’re looking for a gift to bring back, a package of smoked fish is your best bet here! 

You’ll find plenty of locals at the fish market | Photo: Visit Bergen/website

Bergenhus Fortress

Don’t miss the chance to wander around the Bergenhus medieval fortress. It’s one of the oldest buildings in Norway and its right at the entrance of Bergen Harbour. Over the years it’s been used to house royalty, hold church services and as a military fortress. 

RELATED:   Norway’s Wave of Environmental Innovation

Old Bergen Museum

At this open-air museum, you can experience the atmosphere of 1800s Bergen. The houses are only open for guided tours, so be sure to join one. It’s an interesting look at how people in Norway lived hundreds of years ago. 

KODE Art Complex

Stroll through the state of the art four-building KODE museum and view works by Picasso, Edvard Munch, and more. There are multiple galleries so you can spend as much time as you’d like viewing the art. 

Don’t miss all of the KODE Art Complex exhibits | Photo: KODE/Facebook

Shopping in Bergen 

At the main shopping malls, buy premium-quality jumpers made from the wool of nearby mountain sheep. Here are some specific shops you can check out.

• Norden og Verden: Scandinavian-made wooding cutting boards, leather bags, wallpaper
• Juhls Silver Gallery: Handmade earrings and necklaces
• Museum of Norwegian Knitting Industry: Gloves, scarves, and sweaters made on-premises

Where to Eat in Bergen

You’ll be hungry after all of that sight-seeing, or you may want to dive into Bergen’s delicious foods straight off the boat.

Bergen Food Tours

We want to point you in the direction of a Bergen Food Tour. These fabulous tours may fulfill all of your Norwegian food fantasies.

Bryggeloftet & Stuene

The food at Bryggeloftet is pricey, but most customers consider it to be Bergen’s finest classic Norwegian cuisine. Favorites include the mussels and duck with beets.

It’s pricey, but the cuisine at Bryggeloftet & Stuene is worth it | Photo: Bryggeloftet & Stuene/website

As the main pedestrian mall, Torggaten is surrounded by restaurants, cafes, and shops. Here are some of our favorite Torggaten restaurants and their specialties.

• Pingvinen: Norwegian beers and plukkfisk
• Naboen Pub & Restaurant: Nabo planken (a beer-flight with four select beers)
• Spisekroken: Cloudberry cheesecake
• Zupperia: Rudolph Soup (reindeer with mushrooms)
• Godt Brød: Almond buns and cinnamon buns

Henrik Øl & Vinstove

Fancy a drink in Bergen? Henrik Øl & Vinstove, located in Bergen’s downtown area, has more than 50 Scandinavian beers on tap and is a great spot to relax after a few hours of exploring. 

How to Get Around

Your ship will probably dock at the main cruise terminal, which is a 10-minute walk from the start of the city center and the main harbor. Larger vessels may dock at Dokken quay, a 20-minute walk from town.

These attractions are within walking distance of the cruise terminal.

• Fløibanen funicular station
• Fish Market
• City center
• Bergenhus fortress
• KODE Museum

Bus, light rail, and taxi

If a walk doesn’t appeal to you, you can hop aboard the shuttle bus that runs from the main cruise terminal. Also, a visit to any of these places necessitates transportation. Try the free light railway, bus, or taxi.

• Old Bergen Museum, which is open-air
• Trips into the countryside

Yes, you really can tour Bergen by segway. Join the tour by the cruise terminal, and you’ll experience this ancient city in a uniquely modern way.

You’re going to love your port call in Bergen, and you’ll hear the word “Velkommen!” (Welcome!) a lot in this charming maritime treasure. Enjoy your visit to Bergen!

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• Norway Attractions

Kirkenes – Bergen

The Coastal Express – South

Price from $1,075

Regular departures

Voyage overview

Starting from the Arctic town of Kirkenes , you'll journey south from the dramatic landscapes of Northern Norway to views of Senja, one of Norway’s most beautiful islands. We’ll then pass through the jaw-dropping Vesterålen and Lofoten islands , and along the Helgeland Coast with its mountain ranges and maze of islands, before finishing in Bergen .

Be treated to some of the best scenery of the Norwegian coast , including Senja, the Vesterålen archipelago, the stunning Lofoten Islands , and the Helgeland Coast

Keep on the lookout for whales and a range of Arctic birds, including the white-tailed sea eagle as well as many migratory species

The ship may also visit Trollfjord between May and October on this voyage, entering the narrow fjord and performing a 180-degree turn

Join optional hikes and available optional seasonal excursions to enhance your coastal experience

All Aboard!

Your voyage begins in the Arctic in the town of Kirkenes , just a few miles from the Norwegian border—farther east than St. Petersburg and Istanbul!

World War II history

For those interested in history, the Varanger Museum in Kirkenes has exhibits about how the town was involved during World War II, where it was bombed a total of 328 times in four years, making it the most bombed place during the war after Malta.

For more insights into this somber period, visit the Andersgrotta World War II Bomb Shelter which could house up to 2,500 people underground.

Norway’s northern frontier

In the port of Vardø , you’ll find the star-shaped Vardøhus Fortress, built in 1737. The northernmost fortification of any kind, it remains in use by the military to this day.

We’ll cruise Norway’s coastline to the small port of Båtsfjord in the evening. Then it’s on to Berlevåg . You might be able to make out Mount Tanahorn to the west, or see Kjølnes Lighthouse blinking atop its cliff overlooking the Barents Sea.

Time in port:

Kirkenes : 9:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.

Vardø : 4:05 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Båtsfjord : 8:00 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.

Berlevåg : 10:25 p.m. – 10:35 p.m.

From the Top of Europe

We make stops at Mehamn and Kjøllefjord during the night before early morning visits to Honningsvåg and Havøysund .

Almost the northernmost

In the early afternoon, you’ll spend time in Hammerfest , which has the largest population on a list of the world’s northernmost settlements.

See the UNESCO-listed Meridian Column, shop for souvenirs at the Polar Bear Society, or take the path behind the town to the viewpoint atop Mount Salen.

Mountains and marine mammals

We continue cruising Norway’s coastline south to Øksfjord and then to Skjervøy , surrounded by mountain peaks. We’ve been docking at this vital fishing port since 1896.

If you’re visiting in winter, you might spot orcas and humpback whales that gather here to feed on herring.

As we make our way to Tromsø , you might also glimpse views of the Lyngen Alps which boast some of the highest peaks in all of Norway.

Midnight magic

We dock at Tromsø just before midnight. In the summer months, you can stroll around the still busy city in glorious 24-hour daylight.

Mehamn : 1:20 a.m. - 1:30 a.m. 

Kjøllefjord : 3:25 a.m. - 3:35 a.m. 

Honningsvåg : 5:45 a.m. - 6:00 a.m. 

Havøysund : 8:00 a.m. - 8:15 a.m. 

Hammerfest : 11:00 a.m. - 12:45 p.m.

Øksfjord : 3:50 p.m. - 4:05 p.m.

Skjervøy : 7:30 p.m. - 7:45 p.m. 

Tromsø : 11:45 p.m. - 1:30 a.m.

High Peaks and Idyllic Islands

Today, you’ll be exploring the archipelagos of Lofoten and Vesterålen , real highlights of our Norway scenic route.

After Finnsnes early in the morning, the ship calls at Harstad where the white-washed Trondenes Church, the world’s northernmost medieval stone church, sits on the peninsula.

Next is our smallest port of call Risøyhamn and then Sortland where the landscape slowly transforms from hills to 1,000-metre-high mountains.

Our birthplace

Stokmarknes is where Captain Richard With began The Coastal Express in 1893. Visit Hurtigrutemuseet, a ship-in-a-bottle building that chronicles our legacy, centered around retired ship MS Finnmarken from 1956.

A ship-sized fjord

Sailing along Raftsund, the Captain may choose to take the ship into tiny Trollfjord if the weather allows. The mountain walls will look so close you’ll think you can reach out and brush them! To exit the fjord, the ship will rotate 180 degrees on the spot, then sail back out. Remember to look out for sea eagles here too.

Leaving Lofoten

We reach Svolvær in the evening. The huge mountain that sits above the town is named the Svolvær Goat due to its supposed resemblance. See if you agree!

The ship then sails for Stamsund , eventually passing the giant granite cliffs of the Lofoten Wall.

Finnsnes : 4:20 a.m. - 4:40 a.m.

Harstad : 8:00 a.m. - 8:30 a.m.

Risøyhamn : 10:45 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.

Sortland : 12:30 p.m. - 1:00 p.m.

Stokmarknes : 2:15 p.m. - 3:15 p.m.

Svolvær : 6:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.

Stamsund : 10:15 p.m. - 11:30 p.m.

A Landscape of Trolls

The ship calls at Bodø in the small hours of the morning and then Ørnes at 7 a.m. We then cross over the Arctic Circle just after breakfast. Commemorate the moment with a tradition of tasting a spoonful of good ol’ Norwegian cod liver oil!

We make a short stop at Nesna before sailing on to Sandnessjøen , gateway to the magnificent Helgeland Coast .

Legend has it…

Admire the stunning landscape of the Seven Sisters mountain range, with peaks up to 3,600 feet high. The tale goes that seven beautiful troll princesses, fleeing from an unwanted suitor, got caught out as the sun rose, turning them into the seven beautiful mountains you see today.

You’ll also not want to miss views of Torghatten Mountain, with the distinctive hole in it. There is a local legend as to why and how this mountain came to have such a hole. Make sure you ask your Coastal Experience Team about it!

We reach Brønnøysund mid-afternoon. Explore the bustling marina on a walk along Havnegata. In the center of town is Brønnøy Church: a stone church in the Neo-Gothic style dating back to 1870.

Our last stop of the day is the cozy fishing port of Rørvik in the picturesque Vikna archipelago.

Bodø : 2:30 a.m. - 3:30 a.m.

Ørnes : 6:25 a.m. - 6:35 a.m.

Nesna : 10:25 a.m. - 10:35 a.m.

Sandnessjøen : 11:45 a.m. - 12:15 p.m.

Brønnøysund : 3:00 p.m. - 5:25 p.m.

Rørvik : 9:00 p.m. - 9:30 p.m.

Coastal Communities and Klippfisk

Spend the morning in Trondheim, then sail past beautiful island scenery and some of Norway’s smallest communities before exploring Kristiansund and Molde .

Capital of the Viking Age

Stroll around Trondheim in the early morning as the city wakes. Visit the sacred Nidaros Cathedral, resting place of St. Olav. Then, walk to Gamle Bybro bridge for a photo opportunity over Nid River.

Treat yourself to quality coffee and a Nordic patisserie in one of the Bakklandet district’s many chic cafés then walk up to Kristiansten Fort for great views of Norway’s third-largest city.

Dealing in dried cod

We dock at Kristiansund’s harbor in the late afternoon. The town is spread over three islands and known for being Norway’s “Bacalao Capital” for the salted cod that’s dried on the surrounding cliffs, called klippfisk in Norwegian.

Take a walk around the cobblestone streets of the old town and tour the lively port. You can also head up to the old watchtower at Varden viewpoint for a lovely panorama.

Peaks and petals

The penultimate port of the day is Molde where you can spot the tops of the Romsdal Alps. Nicknamed “The City of Roses”, flowers should be in bloom between mid-June and late August.

Trondheim : 6:30 a.m. - 9:30 a.m.

Kristiansund : 4:30 p.m. - 5:30 p.m.

Molde : 9:15 p.m. - 9:45 p.m.

Until Next Time

Our Norwegian coastal cruise together, at least this time, will reach its end later today. During the previous night, we’ll call at Ålesund and Torvik . On our approach to Måløy , you might catch a glimpse of the northbound Coastal Express if you’re up early enough.

Morning highlights

You’ll have a chance to glimpse Nordfjord , under the enormous Jostedal Glacier , mainland Europe’s largest.

The ship then docks at Florø in the morning where you can take in the harbor and marina.

The home stretch

Leaving Florø, you’ll spot Stabben Lighthouse, a favorite subject for photographers. There’s also stunning views to enjoy as we cross the mouth of Sognefjord, the longest and widest fjord in the whole of Norway.

As we reach our final port in the afternoon, the ship will navigate through the last islands and skerries of our Norway scenic route, and sail down Hjeltefjord to arrive into Bergen.

Explore more of Norway

Sadly, it’s time to say farewell to the Captain, crew, and fellow guests.

But your journey doesn’t have to stop after disembarkation. We offer a Bergen sightseeing tour as well as a range of post-voyage programs that you can add to your trip, including seeing Sognefjord by train or a tour of Oslo.

Ålesund : 12:30 a.m. - 1:20 a.m.

Torvik : 2:35 a.m. - 2:45 a.m.

Måløy : 5:45 a.m. - 6:00 a.m.

Florø : 8:15 a.m. - 8:30 a.m.

Bergen : 2:45 p.m.

About your trip

What's included.

Cabin guests

Enjoy our feel-at-home Hurtigruten hospitality. Enjoy various included benefits when you choose from our selection of comfortable options: Polar Inside, Polar Outside, and Arctic Superior cabins.

Accommodation on ship: Your home away from home

Choice of cabin type

Choice of cabin location (1)

Comfortable cabin with ensuite bathroom

Your culinary experience on board: Food & drink

Daily breakfast, lunch, and dinner in the ship’s main restaurant Torget

Unlimited selection of tea and black filter coffee (1)

Choice of dining time (1)

Life on board

Complimentary Wi-Fi throughout the ship and in your cabin (1)

Multi-lingual Coastal Experience Team

Daily themed lectures

Enhance your journey with:

Wine package (House, Superior, Premium)

Welcome basket with sparkling wine

Dinner in fine dining restaurant Kysten

Wide range of optional seasonal excursions and guided hikes

(1) Voyages booked in Select Fare

Suite guests 

For the best in onboard comfort, cuisine, service, and beautifully appointed rooms, choose our suite experience.

Choice of suite type

Choice of suite location

Priority check-in

Stylish, spacious suite with ensuite bathroom

Unlimited selection of tea and black filter coffee

Choice of dining time

Complimentary Wi-Fi throughout the ship and in your cabin

What's Not Included

Flights and transfers

Travel protection

Optional seasonal excursions

Baggage handling

Optional hikes with our Coastal Experience Team

Prices are in USD, per person, based on two people traveling together sharing a cabin

Not all categories are available for all departures

Hurtigruten has a flexible pricing system and all prices are capacity controlled and subject to availability

We have several ships in the fleet that we travel with.

MS Kong Harald

Norway’s reigning monarch, a seasoned sailor, lends his name to this remarkable hybrid vessel.

MS Nordkapp

MS Nordkapp is named after the northernmost point on mainland Europe: North Cape (71ºN) - one of the geographical highpoints you can visit on a Hurtigruten voyage.

MS Nordnorge

MS Nordnorge is aptly named for northern Norway, most of which lies above the Arctic Circle.

Related cruises

Kirkenes – Bergen (Southbound)

Departure Dates

The Coastal Express – To the Viking Capital

Bergen – Kirkenes – Trondheim (Roundtrip)

Lofoten to the West Fjords

On The Coastal Express

Svolvær - Brønnøysund - Trondheim - Bergen (Southbound)

Know before you go

• FAQ: The Coastal Express
• Meet the team on our Coastal Express ships
• What to pack for a cruise in Norway

Special Offers

There’s more than one way to sail with us and discover the many wonders of the Norwegian coast.

Solo travelers: No single supplement cruises

We have a range of cruises in Norway for those who like to travel solo. And, unlike other cruise lines, we won't charge you extra!

Live the Legend of Norway: Book Now and Save on Coastal Express sailings!

There’s still time to sail along the beautiful Norwegian coast. Get 30% off Hurtigruten’s Original Coastal Express sailings.

Save Up to 50% Off on Child Passengers

Family members of all generations can adventure with Hurtigruten. Save up to 50% off your child’s voyage and save on your next family cruise. Book today!

Optional Excursions

Explore your destination even further with our wide range of exciting excursions. The excursion program presented is an indication of some of the excursions that may be available during your voyage.

Breakfast at the North Cape

Starts from

Honningsvåg – gateway to the North Cape

Summer (Jun - Aug), Autumn (Sep - Oct)

The Northernmost Town in the World

1 hour 45 minutes

Midnight Concert in Tromsø Cathedral

Tromsø – gateway to the Arctic

1 hour 15 minutes

Mountain Hike in Hammerfest

1 hour 30 minutes

Snowmobile Trip in the Polar Night

Spring (Apr - May), Winter (Nov - Mar)

2 hours 15 minutes

A Taste of Vesterålen

Harstad – at the heart of Northern Norway

4 hours, 15 minutes

Lofoten Islands

Svolvær – at the heart of Lofoten

Spring (Apr - May), Summer (Jun - Aug)

3 hours 30 minutes

Sea Eagle Safari

Stokmarknes – the birthplace of Hurtigruten

Spring (Apr - May), Summer (Jun - Aug), Autumn (Sep - Oct)

Lofoten by Horseback

RIB Adventure in Lofoten

Summer (Jun - Aug)

The Hurtigruten Museum

Sortland – the blue city

Lofotpils Brewery

UNESCO-listed Vega Archipelago

Sandnessjøen – gateway to the Helgeland Coast

Visit the Salmon

Brønnøysund – coastal charm right in the middle of Norway

2 hours 30 minutes

Hike to Torghatten Mountain

Trondheim with Nidaros Cathedral

Trondheim – Norway’s capital of technology

The Atlantic Road

Kristiansund – home of the Bacalao

4 hours 30 minutes

Bergtatt – Magnificent Marble Mine

Spring (Apr - May), Autumn (Sep - Oct), Winter (Nov - Mar)

Pre and post programs

Snowhotel – A Unique Winter Experience

Kirkenes – right on the border

Gamme Cabins at the Snowhotel

Legends of Kansas

History, Tales, and Destinations in the Land of Ahs

Ninnescah River, Kansas

Ninnescah River

The Ninnescah River, a 56.4-mile stream of southern Kansas , has two branches. The north fork rises in the southern part of Stafford County and flows northeastwardly to Plevna in Reno County , where the course changes to the southeast. The south fork has its source in the western part of Pratt County. Its course is almost due east through Pratt and Kingman Counties until it unites with the north fork in the southwest corner of Sedgwick County. The main stream then flows southeast and empties its waters into the Arkansas River near Oxford, Kansas.

Compiled by Kathy Alexander / Legends of Kansas , updated April 2024.

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Trail along the north side of the Ninnescah River on the east side of Pratt

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Home » Government » History of Cunningham

History of Cunningham

This history of Cunningham begins with a history of Ninnescah. The Ninnescah Post Office opened August 20, 1885. The earliest existing copy of the Ninnescah Herald is dated August 12, 1886, being Volume 1, Number 20. This would place Volume 1, Number 1 at April 1, 1886, assuming that the paper was a weekly as it has been since. The editors and publishers of the Ninnescah Herald were C.L. Severy and J. Geo. Smith. These two names figure prominently in the history of both Ninnescah and Cunningham.

Communities developed for a number of reasons. Some started with one family, joined by friends or relatives. Many grew around a church. A trading post, fort, or a way station gave birth to others. In western Kansas, many towns were started by capitalists hoping to turn a profit. An evening spent with one of Fitzgerald’s Ghost Town’s of Kansas books verifies that fortunes were made and lost in the business of town-building.

In the 1870’s and 1880’s, the arrival of a railroad often determined which towns survived and which faded into history. While more research is needed, the relationship of C.L. Severy and J. Geo. Smith and their involvement in the development of Ninnescah, Kansas can be gleaned from the early newspapers and books available. C.L. Severy was the son of Luther Severy, an Emporia cattleman with vast holdings in land who was also a director of the Atchison, Topeka, and Santa Fe railroad. He invested in several town companies, including one named for him in Greenwood County. C.L. Severy was the secretary of the Ninnescah Town Company, a real estate agent and loan agent, and owner of the first hotel in Ninnescah. J. Geo.Smith was Severy’s partner in the Ninnescah Herald. He was also involved in real estate and loans. It appears that the two were partners in several ventures centering on promoting the town of Ninnescah.

On September 2, 1886, the partners sold the Herald to W. M. Bacheller, who published the paper until October 28, 1886, when J. Geo. Smith reappears as editor and publisher. During this time, Mr. Severy returned to Emporia and Mr. Smith became partners with T.N. Price in the “land, loan, and insurance company of Price, Smith & Co.” Mr. Price was also a farmer, implement dealer, and owner of a hardware store in Ninnescah.

The first mention of Col. J. D. Cunningham in the Ninnescah Herald is on October 7, 1886. W.M. Bacheller writes: “Col. J.D. Cunningham of Chapin, Illinois, who has been in Ninnescah several weeks, has fallen in love completely with the west. He is largely interested in Kingman County and is one of the most sociable and pleasant gentlemen to be met anywhere and has met a host of friends who would gladly welcome him as a citizen. In behalf of our town we extend him the right hand of fellowship and tender him the welcome of all its citizens.”

In this same edition of the Herald Mr. Bacheller lists and describes many of the businesses in Ninnescah at the time. The town was prospering. The role of the Kingman, Pratt, and Western railroad was often mentioned along with the town’s prosperity. For a short time Ninnescah was its western terminus due to a delay brought on by a feud between Pratt Center and Saratoga. These were boom times, with much happening in the area over a period of a few months. By February 3, 1887, Mr. Price had moved to Greensburg. Mr. Smith was in partnership with Mr. Clark in real estate.

The following is reprinted from an advertisement for Clark & Smith: “Hurrah! Hurrah! Now is Your Time to Buy Town Lots in Ninnescah. This rapidly growing little city is situated on the new extension of the Wichita & Western under the name of the Kingman, Pratt & Western. It has a beautiful location twenty miles to the west of Kingman and eighteen miles to the east of Pratt Center. The water is excellent and the large scope of the country tributary is rich and productive. Town lots are going up at a lively rate. Now is your opportunity. If you decide to build, three and five years will be given. It is bound to make a good town.”

On June 30, 1887, the following notice appeared in the Ninnescah Herald: “The books for the subscription of stock in the new town of Cunningham, will be closed Saturday, July 9th, 1887, and we respectfully request all those wishing an interest or add to their already acquired interest in the new “Farmer’s Town,” a mutual town with bright prospects in a highly cultivated country, should avail themselves before it is too late. A thorough explanation of the conditions, aims, and objects of the town will be given with the pleasure of application. One and all interested in this section of the country should not fail to investigate its advantages and invest. Shares, $10 each. Only a limited number left. COMMITTEE Headquarters: HERALD OFFICE”

Three items from the August 4, 1887, Ninnescah Herald show that while Cunningham was being born on the north side of the tracks, Ninnescah refused to yield on the south: “Col. J. D. Cunningham of Winsboro, Texas, is in the city for the purpose of transferring the new town site to the Town Company, and also to invest largely in the stock. The Col. is no stranger in our midst, having paid our city several visits in the past. Whole souled, jolly, and generous to a fault, his name will be a credit to the new town.”

“L. Severy, a prominent capitalist of Emporia, went east on the W & W on Friday. He had been at Ninnescah, where he has large property interests, seeing what there is to the Cunningham move…While the Leader has no desire to take part in the controversy over our western neighbors, it has no hopes of Mr. Severy ever doing the town any good.” (Kingman Leader quoted in the Ninnescah Herald).

“Mr. L. Severy had a streak of generosity and presented the Presbyterian church with an 800 lb. bell. It is already placed in position in the belfry and its ringing notes can be heard by all the community ‘round.”

Mr. Smith began using the name The Cunningham Herald for his paper on October 27, 1887. He provided his readers with several arguments for the new town of Cunningham, although his real estate company listed lots and buildings for sale in Ninnescah at the same time. Some buildings were physically moved from Ninnescah to Cunningham. While the move and change seemed popular, there are several names mentioned as being opposed to the move.

Tornado of March 24, 1888

By the time the tornado devastated Ninnescah in 1888, the town of Cunningham was well established. Many businesses and residences had moved to the new town. The post office was still in Ninnescah and a handful of businesses and residents held onto the old name, but the new town company had been successful in its efforts to form a town north of the railroad tracks.

The following accounts are reprinted from The Cunningham Herald of April 5, 1888, J. George Smith, editor and publisher:

Tornado Swept Over Our Beautiful City Leaving Destruction in Its Path

Although a little late for publication, we are induced by many of our patrons to publish a condensed account of the storm and its effect. When the heavy black clouds were seen in the southwest that eventful Saturday afternoon (March 24 th ) very few of our people expected anything more than a rain storm. Soon a terrible commotion was perceptible in the heavens; little black funnel shaped clouds darting about in every direction almost touching the ground at times. To all appearances it seemed to form within sight of our little city, and when—notwithstanding the timely warning—at about 5:30, these funnel shaped agents of destruction swept down over us, very few were prepared to receive it. The crash of timbers and the rattle of tin roofs was simply terrible. A fearful hail storm followed, some as large as hen’s eggs, breaking hundreds of panes of glass.

The storm seemed to last an age, so say some—possibly owing to the fact that not a few were scared out of several years growth—but from our best recollection it continued fully twenty minutes.

Fortunately no lives were lost but a number were injured more or less. A false report has been going the rounds of the press to the effect that several persons were killed and many wounded.

It is almost impossible to give an accurate statement of the losses  incurred, many buildings being badly racked but still standing. We will give them as near as we could ascertain.

The roof of the Sheard Hotel was entirely blown off. Loss estimated at $1,000.

Ransom Kelloggs’s store building on Commercial street is a total wreck. Loss, $600.

The new Presbyterian Church is a heap of ruins and was valued at $2,000.

The old town company building on Commercial street belonging to L. Severy was badly racked. Loss about $200.

Rev. J. R. Millsap’s residence and barn were swept out of existence, destroying contents. Loss, $600.

T. N. Price’s large store and office building—occupied by The Herald and the Methodists—was totally demolished. Loss, $1,000.

The National Hotel was damaged $250.

Tom Long’s livery stable was badly torn up and scattered. Loss, $500.

Sam Harris residence, $100. Carey Lumber Co., 100; L. L. Michener, store building and residence, 200; M. Rouse, stable and residence, 50; Depot buildings and tool house, 400; W. F. Fielder, store buildings, 50; Phil Weiss, store building, 25;   A. Click, residence, 50; Chas. Doan, residence, 25; E. Bupp, residence, 25; C. S. Davis, stable and horses injured, 150; Geo. Shapley, residence, 25; G. A. Lakin, residence, 50; Herald office, 200, and others. Northeast of town on the ranch of John A. Cragun, the dwelling house is a complete wreck and the lumber for a new stable was scattered in every direction, the loss over $600; James Branaman’s dwelling house was damaged to the amount of $300, and Mr. Mosher’s the same.

Mr. Joseph McPeek’s fine orchard is completely stripped of its beauty.

They say that Station Agent Igon interviewed the pump house for two hours after the storm.

Jim Brower and James McAdams give a very graffic [ sic ] account of the cyclone and its tragic effects.

The Presbyterian Church, one of the finest structures west of Kingman, was picked up bodily and crushed to the earth.

Frank Carman and Chas Doty were out battling with the storm, finally seeking protection in one of the railroad sewer pipes.

Rev. J. R. Millsap’s residence was swept over their heads leaving them exposed to the terrible hail storm. They lost nearly everything.

Tom Long was blown against a wagon in front of his barn and carried to the railroad depot, a distance of six or seven hundred feet. He was injured internally.

Mr. and Mrs. Elmer Cragun, Mr. James Branaman and family, and Mr. Mosher and family, all relate terrible experiences, their dwelling houses having been wrecked leaving them exposed to the terrible hail and wind storm.

John Hicks received a letter from a friend in Indiana offering substantial aid, having read of the total destruction of the town in some of the eastern dailies and supposed, of course, that John was one of the sufferers. John appreciates the generous offer, we can assure you.

Col. J. D. Cunningham and the writer were in The Herald office when it collapsed. It has been reported that the Col. offered up a prayer for the first time in fourteen years. We know not how true the report is having been busy at the critical period holding the door frame after the glass front was  destroyed.

On the next page of the April 5, 1888 Herald , Mr. Smith adds to the account of the tornado. Also included below is another view of the damage to the Presbyterian Church by B. F. Haviland, minister of the church at the time.

Resurrected Cunningham Bobs Up Serenely More Beautiful that Ever

A Booming Cyclone

Notwithstanding the destruction of property by the late cyclone, the rush of business continues unbroken as if nothing had occurred. When the business of the surrounding country demands a town, it is a necessity and the effect of the late atmospheric disturbances only had a tendency to encourage the people to renewed vigor in not only rebuilding the wrecked buildings but many new ones are being projected. Store room and house room are scarcer that gold guineas and the demand continues to increase. Two new churches, beautiful in architectural design, will soon grace the beautiful residence site on the north side of town. A large and commodious school building is also contemplated by the people of this district, the present one being entirely too small to accommodate the rapidly increasing school population. Already the sound of the hammer and the rasp of the saw is heard on every hand.

Cast Down But Not Destroyed

Careful inspection reveals the fact that the wreck of the Presbyterian Church in Ninnescah week from last Saturday is not so bad as first reported. Most of the material is uninjured; both ends were taken out bodily; five large and beautiful front windows suffered only the loss of a portion of the glass. One half the roof is in two sections. The foundation, floor, rostrum, and joists are injured but very little. A portion of the seats are unharmed; two sides of the vestibule are intact; the spire with trifling exception is “solid” and the frame work unharmed. The bell and fixing are uninjured save the wheel for the rope. Measures will be taken immediately for rebuilding.

We recently spent an afternoon at the Kingman Public Library and gleaned the following account from the Kingman Daily Courier , Smith & Buckley, editors and publishers. The date is March 27, 1888. Unfortunately the March 26 th paper referred to in this article was unavailable.

Cunningham’s Condition

But Little Changes to Note From Yesterday’s Report

The Courier’s report of the Cunningham disaster, though gathered hastily, is verified to-day by a gentleman just in from that unfortunate village. It was a matter of impossibility to give anything like a correct estimate of the losses yesterday, but to-day the Courier is enabled to present its readers a fair statement of the damage resulting from Saturday’s storm.

Presbyterian Church, $1,600; Shear Hotel, $1,800; M. E. Church, $250; R. Kellogg, store house, $600; Carey Lumber Company, $1,100; J. R.  Millsap, dwelling, $500; T. U. Price, store house, $2,200; Tom Long, livery stable, $850; Wm. Brana- [ line of type missing ] residence (hotel building), $300; L. L. Michener, hardware, $125; Jim George Smith, Esquire, Herald office, $150; C. S. Davis, coal merchant, $25; Charles Doan, residence, $40; M. Rouse, livery stable, $60; Clyde Doty, drug store, $50; G. A. Lakin, residence, $75; John Cragun, residence and outbuildings, $1,000. There are many other losses reported but all of them are of so minor a character that mention is unnecessary. The injuries received by Mrs. Branaman and Mrs. Millspaugh are not so severe as reported.

The tornado of 1888 sealed the fate of Ninnescah, although a reading of the newspapers from the months prior indicates that the Cunningham Town Company had already won the battle for the site. When Cunningham was first formed north of the railroad tracks, it was a separate town born of local efforts. The major investor in the Ninnescah Town Company lived in Emporia and spent but a few months in Ninnescah in her infancy. His former partner in some business ventures, J. George Smith, stayed in Ninnescah and was instrumental in the creation of the Cunningham Town Company.

On May 29, 1888, the Post Office in Ninnescah was discontinued and the name changed to Cunningham. The plat for Ninnescah was not abandoned until much later.

We end this account of Cunningham’s early days with a promise to continue as time and space permit. The tornado which struck Ninnescah on March 24th, 1888, seems to have been the death blow for the town, although many businesses and residences had moved prior to that date. It appears likely that Cunningham would have succeeded and Ninnescah faded without this disaster.